To retrain as a social worker?

[alpinetweed]

I'm interested in doing the two year course (MA) in social work from 2018.

Has anybody done it?

I have quite a lot of relevant experience and a 2:1 degree ... Just worried about how much time it takes, money and childcare considerations!

Hi MIL high up in social services and knows a lot about this course and I was talking to her about it.

She said it's intense and very fast paced. I was worried other SW wouldn't see you as qualified as it's fast track but she said not at all and has never come across this. She said she wouldn't advise if someone had younger children as the work can be full on but those with older children should be ok. It's almost like a full time job with study on top. She said it's more intense than the degree as it's faster paced

If you really want to do it then go for it. But I have a feeling it's hard work but it will pay off! Good luck x

Thanks very much for replying!

I don't suppose you know how much it costs, do you? I have asked universities but they are a bit vague - it's very "it might be ... possibly ... you could ..."

I just want to know is it £6000, £3000 - what?

If you do the masters it depends on the university as they all have different pricing. I've seen them from between £3000 and £10000

£10,000?

Must find that £3000 one!

Forgot to say the social work bursary is still available for those studying a masters at qualifying universities. Check the website :)

Ooh, thanks!

The website of individual universities, or social work? It's so flipping long since I have had to deal with UCAS!

Having you thought of applying through the Frontline programme? I think it's fairly intense at first and you'd need full time childcare (no university holidays). However, you're paid a bursary for the first year (about £18K) and a newly qualified social worker salary for the second year (about £25K). You need to have a 2:1 degree, Grade C maths and english GCSE.

I'm not in their recruitment department - just got talking to someone yesterday who started on their programme this summer.

Try looking here under postgraduate

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/social-work-students

I'd really like that. I do have a 2:1 degree but don't you need a certain amount of UCAS points? My A levels were a bit mediocre (sneaked into an RG university through the skin of my teeth!) due to personal trauma at the time, which ironically is one reason I'm so drawn to this career!

Thanks! You're all so helpful

Yes frontline and step up are good alternatives! They are both funded and you earn money too

That would be PERFECT!

I'm actually getting a bit excited now

Hi op

Are you a single parent

I do the masters in social work (2nd year). I find it demanding, full on and it is difficult to juggle child care at times (I have 3 children aged 5,6 and 9.two of my children have special needs) but the course is very worthwhile and interesting. Placement is very full on but really good experience.

Both the MA and frontline/step up are very full on.

The places for frontline are very competitive due to the bursary largely being removed from the other routes. I don't know much about that route as all the students I have been a tutor for have all come through the MA or BA route.

During the MA you will spend around 10 months on placement, unpaid working full time. You will be reimbursed for travel expenses during the working day but not to get to and from the placement. You will be expected to complete essays and other university work during this time too.

I've found in the past that universities haven't always been completely transparent about the placement requirements or the fact that often placements can be up to an hours travel away each way.

If you think this will be doable then go for it.

Sadly in my experience unless you have really robust childcare and family support that it can be a struggle which is terrible given the type of profession it is!

Apply for Frontline it is open at the minute and is fast track but you get £19k in your first year with no fees and you're guaranteed your first year on the job with the LA you're placed with. Step Up has just recruited the January 2018 cohort so there won't be one of those for a while. Alternatively the traditional longer route is the uni route. Research placements and costs. My uni is £9,500 this year (my second year of the MA) and my bursary covers £4K of that so a massive gap which I hadn't quite appreciated. You can get up to £6k in bursary to live on which is doable for me as the course is so busy you don't need to spend money so much! You get more if you have children and they contribute up to 85% of childcare costs within a limit (think it's about £160 a week).

I love it. Wish I'd done it sooner (I'm 32) and would wholeheartedly recommend.

I work with SW and there is no way I would currently advice anyone to be a SW in the current climate!
Our NQ SW are having to deal with up to 40 cases, all of which are hugely demanding and many NQ have left within 6 months. Many of our long term SW have had a long period of sickness ( 2 months or more) due to stress. I walked into our head office ( Local authority) to two weeks ago to find a SW crying as she can't fit any more hours in her day.
I often get emails that were sent at 11 O'clock at night and when I have responded at 7.30 next morning they reply back.
A lot of our SW have left and gone to do agency work. It really isn't a good climate for them at the moment. This is in Children's Services and my partner works in adult services for another authority and it is the same there.

@numberonecook the two year masters is not fast track. Where did you get that idea?

notacooldad

I'm sorry to read of your situation....

Social Services are terribly understaffed and under an incredible amount of pressure ... surely encouraging the OP would be more beneficial... than discouraging her from pursuing her Dream... we should perhaps encourage lots more people to do this essential and necessary role.. in helping all those vulnerable children get the help they so desperately need... making the job of many less stressful

Please think very very carefully before committing to this. As previous poster advised, it is not a good climate to be a social worker. It's such a tough job, and even tougher with young children. You will often be undertake 12 plus hour days and will be expected to work late at short notice. It's def one of hardest jobs out there and you don't realise until you are in the role. Good luck

Are you a social worker Gemini64 it's not about discouraging. It's about painting a realistic picture.

notacooldad

*I'm sorry to read of your situation...

It's no skin off my nose if the OP decides on being a SW. However many people that I have got to know went into the job to make a difference and that has not happened. They have been stresses and burnt out within months.
I know there is a need for SW, our department is begging for more however in times of LA cuts things aren't going to get any easier anytime soon.
BTW it was my ambition to be a SW for many years, I feel lucky now that I am not which is really sad.
We have some really great SW but the amount of hours they put in during their own time is unfair and ridiculous. I asked one what would happen if they only worked maybe an hour or so after their clock off time and she said she would probably be sacked or disciplined because it would have meant safeguarding reports, CIN minutes etc etc hadn't been finished.

As I said, I'm just showing some of the reality before the OP commits to the training.

I retired from SW some years ago at age 50, and pursued an arts career for the next 10 years.

The reason I left was because I felt that the professional respect and freedom of action had been eroded to the point where I was no longer able to act in the best interests of my "clients." I had become basically a financial gatekeeper and felt that I was having to jettison any integrity in order to fulfill the department's edicts.

I have a niece who is currently very stressed in her SW role.

I agree that it is wrong to put off someone who is entering training with the sort of enthusiasm that the profession needs; but a concern for her well-being is also not misplaced.

I would suggest trying to make contact with a practicing SW or two and ask if you might chat with them about the job.

It depends what field you go into, but personally I enjoy my social work job. I went in to it to make a difference and I feel that I do, even 20 years later. Newly qualified social workers have a protected case load in their first year. Of course not all placements are equal, but that is the rules. A two year course is not fast track by the way.

I love being a social worker, I work incredibly hard but only during my contracted hours. I have a sizeable caseload with plenty of Vicks protection and care proceedings.
I've never met anyone who has burnt out full stop let alone within months of qualifying! People do leave the profession but usually do do private assessments or go into something related like family therapy.
Social work is hard but it's not a one way ticket to mental health breakdown and 60 hour weeks as many seem to think.
there are more than a few drama llamas who spend their days moaning about how much they have to do instead of getting on with it though